Welcome to the homepage of Sarsfields U11 Hurling Team for those boys born in 2003

We currently have 34 boys as part of the squad. Many of these boys are playing together since U6. We also have some who joined within the last year. They are all very welcome. We hope they all enjoy coming to training and most importantly having fun learning the core skills of the game.

The emphasis of our coaching is to encourage effort, commitment and teamwork while developing the fundamental skills of hurling.
While we like to be competitive every time we take to the field, it is still important on having fun and enjoyment.

Sarsfields Juvenile Hurling Club will host an U11 Tournament in Riverstown on Saturday 8th November 2014.
There will be 3 visiting teams namely:

Ballyea, Clare

Bruff, Limerick

Erins Own, Cork

– Schedule –

Time

Pitch 1

|

Pitch 2

10:30

Sars Black

v

Erins Own Red

|

Erins Own Blue

v

Sars Blue

11:00

Sars Black

v

Ballyea

|

Bruff

v

Sars Blue

11:30

Erins Own Blue

v

Ballyea

|

Bruff

v

Erins Own Red

12:00

Erins Own Blue

v

Erins Own Red

|

Sars Blue

v

Sars Black

12:30

— Lunch —

13:15

Bruff

v

Erins Own Blue

|

Ballyea

v

Erins Own Red

13:45

Bruff

v

Sars Black

|

Ballyea

v

Sars Blue

14:15

Sars Blue

v

Erins Own Red

|

Erins Own Blue

v

Sars Black

14:45

Ballyea

v

Bruff

15:25

— Presentation Ceremony —

15:25

— Finish —

The Tim ‘Birdie’ Hayes U11 tournament took play in Sarsfields Riverstown on Saturday 8th November 2014. While the underfoot conditions started out as a challenge due to the torrential rain overnight the weather throughout the day was wonderful which added to make the event a success. Teams from Ballyea, Clare, Bruff, Limerick along with neighbour Erin’s Own attended the tournament. The tournament was run on a League basis with Sarsfields Blue taking the Tim ‘Birdie’ Hayes Memorial Cup overcoming Ballyea who returned to the Banner County with the Tim ‘Birdie’ Hayes Shield. Tim’s wife Ollie was on hand as was Conor O’Sullivan Sarsfields and Cork Senior star to present the medals to all players. Ollie presented the shield Trophy to the Ballyea captain and then the Memorial Cup to the Sars joint captains Aaron Roche and Darragh Long.

Tim Hayes better and affectionately known as “Birdie” was a native of Sallybrook and along with his family were staunch Sarsfields supporters.

“Birdie” was a timber merchant who also made hurleys. He was a very stylish defender and played with Cork on numerous occasions. He starred at left full back in Sars first County Championship win in 1951.

The Cup being played for at the tournament was presented by his wife and family to perpetuate his memory.

Thanks to all the parents who helped to make all this a success from preparing the facilities for the event, from food, teas and coffees to the tidy up after. For helping in lining out the pitch from early morning and assisting when requested over the day.

Also to St John’s Ambulance Services who were present at hand when needed. To SuperValu Glanmire who gave some treats to all the kids. To the referees Edward Gaffey, James Murphy, Luke and Aidan Hackett. To the Sars juvenile committee and officials who helped to organise the event and finally to Conor O’Sullivan and Ollie Hayes for officiating at the presentation ceremony.

The aim of this year which is is to promote ‘First Touch’. We have developed a set of skills which are been followed during the training sessions that aims to improve the quality of the hurling and refines the core skills with a big emphasis on ‘FIRST Touch’. Over the course of the year these skills will increase in intensity and difficulty such that the players can in simple terms play hurling with speed, agility, balance and coordination.

Our Training Principles

Registration

Registration for 2014 season is now closed. Of course new players are always welcome.

Match Reports

Sunday 6th April v Douglas

Sarsfields U11 had their first match of the year plus the first time on grass on Sunday afternoon the 6th April 2014 in Riverstown. After a weekend of rain and concern if the game would be played we had a wonder contest. Sars fielded a Blue and a Black tem each comprising of 13 players.
Each team played one game 20 mins a side from 20 to 20.
Both teams started slow and somewhat static and it took the full half for our teams to get to grips with the pace with Douglas sharper in most areas and first to the ball on most occasions. However as the game progress we got to grips and the balance turned more our way. It was a hard fought game for both teams.

Most encouraging was the progress on first touch, some great batting, blocking and hooking, left and right hand striking and the distance of the strikes. While marking was intense and the exchanges robust the teams showed great energy right to the final whistle in this very competitive fixture.

Our first touch still needs work with focus on hand to sliotar speed plus weaker side development. Holding field position, marking and spatial awareness are also aspects we need to work on.
Overall it was a good performance with many positives and gives us as mentors a understanding of where we are and it was a most encouraging first outing and great preparation for the league which start next weekend.

Well done to players on all sides and many thanks to Douglas for making a trip to us.
Thanks also to Luke Hackett for taking time out to referee one of the game and to Tadhg Murphy and the Club for granting us permission to use the pitch after many days rain. Thanks to Denis Kelleher for his help on the day and having the jerseys ready and waiting.
Finally to the parents of the Sarsfields U11s for the continued support.

Good work done, More to Do.

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Wednesday 9th April v Kiltha Óg

A Sarsfields selection of 14 players took to the field in Castlemartyr on Wednesday evening. It also allowed players who missed the Douglas outing on Sunday to get a game ahead of the league start at the weekend. While the ground was heavy the Sars boys did well.
While we were second to every ball and weak in the challenges for the second half brought major improvement with some last ditch Kiltha Óg defending denying Sars.
While there was some great work at times with blocking and catching we need to work as a team and developing these good points over a full game with focus on tempo and work rate.
On the balance of the game Kiltha Óg were more up for the game and thus reflected the final outcome.

Like all games it is a case of looking for the strengths and weakness and develop the training sessions around these.

Thanks to the parents and boys from making the trip ti Castlemartyr and to our host Kiltha Óg. Looking forward to a return game out in the season.

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Sunday 13th April v Fermoy

Sarsfields U11 had what materialised to be a challenge match v Fermoy on the 13th April 2014 in Riverstown. What was billed as the first game of the U11 League it was conceded by Fermoy who had withdrawn.

Nevertheless it was a good contest. Sars fielded a Blue and a Black tem each comprising of 12 players.

Each team played two games 20 mins a side.

From a Sars perspective there was some great movement with some quick touches from end to end producing scores.
Most encouraging was the improvement in spatial awareness and the smart movement of the ball to other team mates. Again striking left and right without breaking stride has improved.

Overall it was a good performance with noticeable improvements and many positives.

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Wednesday 23rd April v Cobh

Sarsfields U11 had their first League outing v Cobh away. It was a lovely evening with a large turnout of 27 players. We field 2 teams of 11 as per Go Games structure.

Most encouraging was the attitude, honest effort.

There was some great individual and combination performances on both Sars teams which produced some goals and points.

Our first touch is greatly improved as well as positioning and awareness with the speed and tempo of play most encouraging.

Some more development on striking with power and distance from hand and ground as well as support fellow players is required.

Overall it was a good performance with the result favouring us too.

Sars Abú

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Thursday 15th May v Na Piarsaigh

Sarsfields U11 had an away game v Na Piarsaigh on what was a very fine Summers evening. Sars had a large turnout of 28 players. We field 2 teams of 11 as per Go Games structure.
It was a lively encounter with some robust challenges.
The player’s attitude and discipline was good as was their team work.

Still we have some work in first touch in getting low to the ball and quicker to hand as well as attacking the high ball. Also some more training on teamwork and picking up loose players.
But overall it was a good performance by both Sars teams.

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Wednesday 21st May v Midleton

Sarsfields U11 had a home game v Midleton on Wednesday evening on what was an almost perfect playing conditions in both weather and surface. 27 players too to the field with 2 teams.
The Riverstown pitch was the perfect setting for what turned out to be a great contest.
A couple of soft goals against Sars Black contributed to a loss but did not diminished the commitment and effort of the team.
The Sars Blue after a slow start go to grips and following a level pegging at half time eventually won somewhat comfortably.

Some interesting observations was Midleton intensity getting first to the ball on puck outs and generally play. Something we focused on at half time talk and the players started to compete stronger for the ball in the 2nd half.
Also we need to be more aware of free players and work as a more effective unit.
In conclusion we have much work to do in our training activities.

However it was a great contest overall with some lessons learned and some homework to be done.

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Wednesday 4th June v St. Vincents

Sarsfields U11 had their last away game in the league at St Vincent’s. On what was a dry Summers evening. The grass on the pitches made ground hurling difficult however all 23 Sars boys enjoyed the outing. We fielded 2 teams of 11 & 12 aligned to Go Games structure.
While one game was very much one sided the other game was more balanced. In this latter match a 5 minute slow spell in the first half in which Sars allowed 2 goals to be scored proved the difference in the end. Notwithstanding that Sars were still unlucky to lose and the St. Vincents goalkeeper was inspired.
As mentioned the grass was somewhat longer and didn’t contribute to an effective first touch yet we play the better hurling and on another occasion the passing may have delivered. Our stick work and ball movement was indeed encouraging in a trying battle with swarming St Vincents approach.
While we did move the ball into space we need to be quicker of the mark and our field positioning and awareness still needs development. Our making was good as was the commitment of the players.
So overall it was a good performance.

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Wednesday 17th June v Blackrock

Sarsfields U11 had their penultimate home game in the league at Sarsfields on what was a real warm Summers evening. 21 Sars boys enjoyed the evening with many absentees due to holidays and school tours. We fielded 2 teams of 11 & 10 aligned to Go Games structure.
Both Sars Teams played well moving the ball well with good use of the hand pass and player positioning and awareness. It was a solid performance from Sars throughout although there were a few moments where concentration lapses allowed Blackrock to regain some momentum. Such was the intensity at times from the oppositions concludes more work on first touch, first to the ball and letting the ball move faster needs to done.

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Thursday 18th Sept v Glen Rovers

Sarsfields U11 had their final game in the league in the Glen on Thursday evening 18th Sept. Due to the delay of this fixture from June and with the holiday season there was only a couple of weeks of training with large attendances.
Both Sars Blue and Black started slowly and it was over 10 mins before they go to grips with the pace of the match with both teams were 5 and 6 points down respectively.
However what followed was perhaps the most encourage performance all year.
Each and every player can be proud of their performance and how they worked individually and collectively.
Constant pressure with blocking and fast moving of the sliotar contribute greatly to this performance. First touch was difficult as the ground was so dry due to the weather. More work in fielding and hand passing would be some areas to improve.
But overall we the coaches were proud and most encouraged by the outing.

Also Club Helmets are available at a subsided rate for members. All of our hurleys are hand picked by experienced hurling people and we can also supply and fit grips to ensure the hurley is comfortable for the child .

Hurley Repairs

Unfortunately due to ongoing cost pressure, Sarsfield’s Juvenile Club is no longer in a position to provide free replacements for hurleys that are broken during training or matches.

Subsidised Hurley repairs are available at a cost of €2 – Contact your Head Coach.